Korean Job Discussion Forums

delirium · Joined: 02 Dec 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA

My mother just passed away. I am getting on the first flight back to the US that I can. My boss is telling me they will give me 1 paid day of bereavement time. I am in a Topia. He told me that corporate policy is only 1 day. My co-teacher called corporate, and they said 5 days paid leave. They did say it's up to the franchise. Do we have any protection or rules for this? I will go regardless, I'm just wondering if I have any rights?

Thank you!

Qonny · Joined: 28 Oct 2014

My condolences to you. I'm sorry for your loss.

There is nothing written into law in regards to bereavement leave We don't have any actual rights on this issue. So it really depends on your contract. Is there anything in there about it?
A friend who worked at a hagwon in Yeosu was given 10 days leave, unpaid, but that was what her boss decided on the day. Try to get it on record that you are due 5 paid days. Ask them to send it in writing. But if they said it's up to the franchise, you probably arent going to get anywhere.

Good luck.

ttompatz · Joined: 05 Sep 2005 Location: Kwangju, South Korea

Smithington · Joined: 14 Dec 2011

OP, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. Work-related issues are the last thing you should have to worry about at this time. Stay well.

beentheredonethat777 · Joined: 27 Jul 2013 Location: AsiaHaven

Smithington · Joined: 14 Dec 2011

beentheredonethat, you might want to proof-read the first line of your post. "Not" should obviously read as "no". Clearly just a typo but it gave me a bit of a jolt when I initially read it.

I'm sorry to hear about your sister. (For a culture that places so much emphasis on family they sure can be callous when a foreigner loses a family member.)

OP, do what's best for you and your family. If you get fired, it's not the end of the world. You were absent from work for a reason that any decent human being can understand and sympathize with. You will get another job when you come back.

Troglodyte · Joined: 06 Dec 2009

As others have noted, you don't have much legal protection if your boss decides to fire you for taking time off.

Unless he has specifically said that you'll have your job when you return (and you believe him) then you might want to pack up your stuff and leave your valuables at a friends place (just in case) and leave a key with a friend you who trust would go to collect up the rest of your stuff if you get a message from your boss saying that they've filled your position before you return.

Given the short notice and if you you're not going to be gone long, you'll probably have your job when you return (at least for a while) since it would take a few weeks to find a permanent replacement.

As far as someone covering your classes while you're gone, your boss has options. Even if your co-workers don't want the overtime, there are plenty of part-time and temp agencies that he can get a teacher from.

PRagic · Joined: 24 Feb 2006

First off, sincerest condolences for your loss.

In answer to your question, I personally would take all the time I felt necessary to grieve and to be with your family, and then as far as the job goes, let the chips fall where they may. Tell them in advance you're taking a month, for example, and that if they want to fire you, so be it.

And I'm speaking from experience here. That is what I did when we lost my dad.

thetawnyman · Joined: 25 Sep 2014

No laws about bereavement leave, not even for Koreans, unfortunately. Customarily it is five days, but that varies.